“If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut on the criticism of those teams” – this was one of the highlights of the end-season press conference from Pat Riley. The Heat supremo blasted Jimmy Butler for his social media antics while Miami was sent packing in round one of the playoffs. And this message probably said without saying that Jimmy Butler is not getting an extension, effectively pushing him into the 2025 free agency.  “Playoff Jimmy” will be 35 next year, so who’s going to be the taker? After closer inspection, everything points at the Brooklyn Nets, and that even has Jimmy’s approval.

The Nets are in a rebuild mode this offseason. They traded Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, earning some vital draft capital. The Brooklyn franchise already has the most first-round picks for the 2025 NBA Draft and they can add a few more with Cam Johnson’s potential trade away. According to Jason Szenes of the NY Post, “They could have potentially $70 million in cap space, even more, depending on what happens with Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson.” That makes the Nets a prime candidate to add All-Star level stars to the roster next summer and Jimmy Butler is all-in for it.

Robert Sabo of the NY Post revealed having intel from close sources of the player that “He likes Brooklyn.” Butler’s rift with the Heat front office already prompted him to decide his stance of not re-signing with the franchise or any other team before going into the 2025 free agency.

Butler who’s entering his final year of the $146,396,031 contract will have a player option and most likely he’d decline that. The Heat meanwhile might come up with the idea of a max extension but chances are pretty slim given Butler’s age factor and recent injuries. But if not the Nets, who else can rope in the talented forward?

Potential landing spot for Jimmy Butler if the Nets move doesn’t materialize

With the introduction of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the days of having a super team are basically over. The Suns and the Celtics are already getting the hint of it with their apron-shredding salary bills that will cause major problems down the line. So as things are taking shape in the new system, the teams with a handsome cap space are the leading candidates to land a star-calibre player such as Jimmy Butler.

According to Greg Swartz of the Bleacher Report, Butler’s situation in Miami can lead him back to his roots. “Butler’s happiness in Miami with no contract extension is worth monitoring for the Rockets as well. A Houston, Texas, native, Butler could be intrigued by the idea of a return to his home city and the challenge of leading a young team towards a championship,” the reporter pointed out.

Just like the Nets, the Rockets are also in a rebuilding phase with draft capitals in hand. Adding Butler as the centerpiece for their charge to be back in the playoff contention makes sense for both parties. The Rockets remained relatively inactive in the offseason, indicating their motives of going gung-ho in the summer of 2025. The Houston side is currently sitting 21st overall in the league in terms of active roster payroll so offering Butler a big contract won’t be an issue. For now, all these theories are well and good on paper, but things can take a U-turn in the long season ahead, keeping Butler in Miami for years to come.